In the spotlight of the national team, Zhu Junlong's name may not be as loud as Zhou Qi and Zhao Rui, but his performance in the two Asian preliminaries is like a calm cornerstone, silently supporting the team's offensive and defensive system. Against Japan, he scored only 6 points, but grabbed 11 rebounds, 4 of which were directly converted into secondary offensive opportunities; In the second game against Guam, he scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and contributed three assists, becoming the longest-playing player in the game.

Zhu Junlong's rise is not accidental. From the supporting role of the "three young" of the Guangsha team to being crowned as the "fourth giant", his growth trajectory confirms the truth of "diligence can make up for clumsiness". In the league, with his accurate three-point and tireless defense, he gradually squeezed out competitors such as Zhu Mingzhen and Lu Wenbo, and became a frequent visitor to the national team's striker. Head coach Guo Shiqiang described him as "defensive stability and clear responsibilities", a trait that is especially valuable in the international arena where discipline is emphasized. Even if Jang Jin-rin and Choi Yong-hee return from injury in the future, Zhu Junlong's practicality and stability can still ensure his important position on the bench. In the future, if Zhu Junlong can further improve his ability to hold the ball and handle key balls, and develop a stable mid-range shot, he will transform from a "3D player" to a real all-round striker and become the hub of the national team's offensive and defensive transformation.

Unlike Zhu Junlong's steadiness, Zeng Fanbo's career is full of tug-of-war between "high expectations" and "ups and downs". Against Japan, he handed over 13 points, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks with gorgeous data, with a plus/minus of +33 and the best in the game; However, in the second game against Guam, he felt cold, scoring only 5 points on 1-of-5 shooting, but still got 25 minutes of playing time, which shows the coaching staff's trust in his talent.

Zeng's dilemma stems from the ambiguity of the role's positioning. In the early days of the league, he averaged just 9.9 points per game due to his inconsistent form, but Guo Shiqiang insisted on including him in the national team, and that trust was finally rewarded in the second period, where his average has soared to 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and his three-point shooting percentage has improved to 39.7%. In the national team, he was forced to play in the number four position, which was a huge challenge for a 21-year-old player.

If I had to make some suggestions, Zeng Fanbo now urgently needs to improve his physical confrontation and game reading skills. If he can optimize his shot selection and improve his low-post skills, he will become the core piece of the puzzle for the national team's "small-ball lineup" and the answer to the No. 4 position in the Chinese men's basketball team.

The technical characteristics of Zhu and Zeng are clearly complementary. Zhu Junlong is good at running off the ball, defensive sweeping and rebounding, and is the team's "lubricant"; Zeng Fanbo relied on his athleticism and projection threat to become the "demoman" who tore through the defense. This complementarity is amplified in Guo's tactical system: against Japan, Zhu Junlong's rebounds laid the foundation for Zeng's fast-break counterattack; Against Guam, Zeng Fanbo's containment created space for Zhu Junlong's air cut.

However, competition is inevitable. The return of Jang Jin-rin and Choi Yong-hee from injury will intensify the involution of the forward line, but the combination of Zhu and Zeng has shown unique value - the former provides a lower limit guarantee, and the latter explores the upper limit possibility. This combination of "seeking change while maintaining stability" may become the core framework for the Chinese men's basketball team to impact the 2027 World Cup.

At the club level, the growth of Zhu Junlong and Zeng Fanbo also affects the fate of the team. The Guangsha men's basketball team topped the league this season, and although Zhu Junlong's average of 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game was not eye-catching, his efficient defense was the invisible engine for the team to win the championship. Beijing Shougang hopes that Zeng Fanbo will continue the state of the national team, make up for the decline of veteran Zhai Xiaochuan, and hit the championship with a younger lineup.

The story of Zhu Junlong and Zeng Fanbo is the epitome of the replacement of the old and the new in the Chinese men's basketball team. One takes root with diligence, and the other breaks the game with talent; One guards the present, the other points to the future. Their growth trajectories may be very different, but their goals are the same - to ignite the flame of hope for the Chinese men's basketball team on the journey of the sea of stars.